122. Charaxes aristogiton peridoneus (The Scarce Tawny Rajah)

Number: 122

Family: Nymphaliidae
Sub-Family: Charaxiinae

Species: Charaxes aristogiton peridoneus Fruhstorfer,1914

Common name(s): The Scarce Tawny Rajah

Photography locations: Cuc Phuong N.P. (Ninh Binh Prov.), Huu Lien N.R. (Lang Son Prov.)

Monastyrskii & Devyatkin (2016) listed 6 Charaxes species in Vietnam viz. solon, bernardus, marmax, aristogiton, kahruba & harmodius.

Male specimen found at Cuc Phuong, in a disused building where many dragonflies become entrapped. So far I haven't had the chance to observe a living specimen!

 Female specimen from Huu Lien Nature Reserve, upperside
Bigger than male, HW with a weak tooth at vein 2 and a long spatulate tail at vein 4

Same specimen, underside

121. Stichophthalma fruhstorferi (The Jungle Queen s.l.)

Number: 121

Family: Nymphaliidae
Sub-Family: Amathusiinae

Species: Stichophthalma fruhstorferi Röber, 1903

Common name(s): The Jungle Queen (sensu lato, no particular name?)

Photography locations: Huu Lien N.R. (Lang Son Prov.), Cuc Phuong N.P. (Ninh Binh Prov.)

According to Monastyrskii & Devyatkin (2016), the subfamily Amathusiinae is represented in Vietnam by 10 genera: Faunis (5 species), Aemona (7 species), Stichophtalma (8 species), Amathusia (1 species), Amathuxidia (1 species), Zeuxidia (2 species), Thaumantis (1 species), Thauria (1 species), Discophora (4 species), Enispe (3 species).

Previously Stichophthalma fruhstorferi has been treated as S. louisia fruhstorferi.

Range : N. and C. Vietnam, China (Guangxi Prov.), N. Laos.

Stichophthalma fruhstorferi, Cuc Phuong (June 2014)

Stichophthalma fruhstorferi, Huu Lien (May 2016)
Note on UnH the small streak inside the discal cell located under the base of vein 5 and 6 (in Vietnam, only S. fruhstorferi and S. uemurai show this feature) and the subapical withish area on UpF

A voucher specimen from Huu Lien

Upperwing pattern of S. fruhstorferi (left) versus S. suffusa tonkiniana (right)
At Huu Lien N.R. and Cuc Phuong N.P., these 2 species occur sympatrically

Sticholphthalma taxa recorded in Vietnam (after Monastyrskii  & Devyatkin, 2016) :

Howqua-group

- S. suffusa tonkiniana Fruhstorfer, 1901 – N.

- S. howqua iapetus Brooks, 1949 – N. (Lao Cai: Hoang Lien N.P.)

Cambodia-group

- S. fruhstorferi Röber, 1903 – N., C.

- S. uemurai uemurai Nishimura, 1998 – C. (Lam Dong, Khanh Hoa, Dak Lak)

- S. uemurai gialai Monastyrskii  & Devyatkin, 2000 – C. (Gia Lai)

- S. neumogeni regulus Brooks, 1949 – N. (Lao Cai: Hoang Lien N.P.)

Louisa-group

- S. mathilda Janet, 1905 – N., C. (to Ha Tinh)

- S. eamesi Monastyrskii, Devyatkin & Uémura, 2000 – C. (Quang Binh to Gia Lai)

- S. devyatkini Monastyrskii, 2013 – C. (TL: Khanh Hoa: Hon Ba N.R.)

For key to the Vietnamese species of the genus Sticholphthalma, see "Butterflies of Vietnam, Vol. 3: Nymphalidae: Danainae, Amathusiinae" (A.L. Monastyrskii, 2011)

120. Charaxes bernardus hierax (The Common Tawny Rajah)

Number: 120

Family: Nymphaliidae
Sub-Family: Charaxiinae

Species: Charaxes bernardus hierax (C. & R. Felder, [1867])

Common name(s): The Common Tawny Rajah

Photography location: Cuc Phuong N.P. (Ninh Binh Prov.)

The Charaxinae are a group of large, robust Nymphalids characterised by their rapid and powerful flight, falcate apexes, and a habit of feeding at dung and carrion. They are represented in Africa by Charaxes, Euxanthe and Palla; in the neotropics by Consul, Memphis, Prepona and Agrias; and in the Oriental and Australian regions by Polyura and Charaxes.

Monastyrskii & Devyatkin (2016) listed 6 Charaxes species in Vietnam viz. solon, bernardus, marmax, aristogiton, kahruba & harmodius.

A brief encounter in the forest of Cuc Phuong N.P.

 The smell, and possibly the color, of my motorbike were irresistible to this Charaxes bernardus

A dead specimen, found at Cuc Phuong N.P. also, showing a better view of the upperwings than the shot above

119. Pelopidas sp.

Number: 119

Family: Hesperiidae
Sub-Family: Hesperiinae

Species: Pelopidas sp.

Common name(s):

Photography location: Cuc Phuong N.P. (Ninh Binh Prov.)

Note underside HW with central cellspot.

118. Junonia lemonias lemonias (The Lemon Pansy)

Number: 118

Family: Nymphaliidae
Sub-Family: Nymphaliinae

Species: Junonia lemonias lemonias (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common name(s): The Lemon Pansy

Photography location: Van Long N.R. (Ninh Binh Prov.)

The genus Junonia comprises about 33 species, of which 11 occur in the Oriental region. Of these, 6 are found in Vietnam - iphita, atlites, orithya, hierta, almana and lemonias.

I have seen Junonia lemonias only once, in scrubby vegetation along the dyke at Van Long Nature Reserve. I am a bit surprised because, as far as I know, this species can occupy a wide range of habitats and therefore should be more common.

Junonia lemonias, Van Long N.R.

117. Pachliopta aristolochiae goniopeltis (The Common Rose)

Number: 117

Family: Papilioniidae
Sub-Family: Papilioniinae

Species: Pachliopta aristolochiae goniopeltis (Rothschild,1908) 

Common name(s): The Common Rose

Photography location: Huu Lien N.R. (Lang Son Prov.), Ba Vi N.P. (Hanoi)

Red-bodied Swallowtails belong to the genera Atrophaneura, Byasa, Losaria or Pachliopta. They are generally found in Asia (Indomalaya ecozone).

The genus Pachliopta - earlier considered as subgenus Pachliopta but now raised to genus level - comprising about 17 species, of which one is present in Vietnam: P. aristolochiae goniopeltis.

Pachliopta aristolochiae is widely distributed, from Afghanistan to Indonesia, southern and eastern China. There are up to 20 subspecies. The nominate subspecies occurs throughout peninsular India. The subspecies goniopeltis is recorded in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam (N, C. & S.), S.-E.China.

Pachliopta aristolochiae goniopeltis roosting on a leaf in forest

The red body, slow peculiar flight, bright colouration and pattern of the wings are meant to indicate to predators that this butterfly is inedible, being well protected by the poisons it has sequestered from its larval food plant. It also emits a nasty smelling substance when handled to further enhance its unappealing qualities. Hence it is rarely attacked by predators, a strategy so successful, that edible butterflies have evolved to mimic it, the classic example being that of the female form stichius of Papilio polytes (for more details see here).

Distant shot of a specimen feeding on Lantana flowers (Ba Vi foothills, December 2016)

Voucher specimen - dorsal and ventral views

Above, both sexes are black with the distal part of the FW grey-shaded between the veins.The HW has a large white post-discal patch and a number of greyish-red submarginal crescent-shaped spots. 

Underneath, both sexes bear similar markings as per the upperside, but with the submarginal spots on the HW rounded and in striking red. The HW has a moderately long tail at vein 4. The body is bright red. The female has rounder wing contours than the male.

116. Mycalesis inopia

Number: 116

Family: Nymphaliidae
Sub-Family: Satyriinae

Species: Mycalesis inopia Fruhstorfer, 1908

Common name(s): ?

Photography locations: Huu Lien N.R. (Lang Son Prov.), Tam Dao (Vinh Phuc Prov.)

Mycalesis inopia is one of the 3 vietnamese Mycalesis (with adamsonii and inopia) in which Up of both wings don't exhibit ocelli.
Until recently, Mycalesis inopia was considered to be a northern Vietnam endemic. Now it is known from Laos, N. & C. Vietnam, S. China, Taiwan. The type locality is "Than Moi ; Chiem-Hoa, Tonkin" (this site is close to Huu Lien N.R.).

Mycalesis inopia, Huu Lien N.R., lowland forest on limestone (August 2015) - with flash

Mycalesis inopia, Tam Dao foothills (September 2016) - without flash 


Voucher specimen from Huu Lien N.R.
Upperwings black without ocelli


Same specimen, underwings 

115. Byasa confusus mansonensis (The Chinese Windmill)

Number: 115

Family: Papilioniidae
Sub-Family: Papilioniinae

Species: Byasa confusus mansonensis (Fruhstorfer, 1901)
 Synonym : Byasa alcinous mansonensis Fruhstorfer, 1901

Common name(s): The Chinese Windmill

Photography location: Huu Lien N.R. (Lang Son Prov.)

"Red-bodied Swallowtails" are butterflies in the Papilionidae that belong to the genera Atrophaneura 
(3 species in Vietnam), Byasa (8), Losaria (1) and Pachliopta (1). Many species show aposematism (“warning coloration”) and serve as models for Batesian mimicry.

The genus Byasa is represented in Vietnam by 8 species viz. crassipes, polyeuctes, dasarada, adamsoni, latreillei, hedistus, nevilli & confusus (Monastyrskii & Devyatkin, 2016).

Byasa confusus mansonensis is recorded from N.Vietnam, S.-E. & C. China, Taiwan. It appears to be very local in occurrence in Vietnam (recorded, at least, from Mt. Mau Son, Huu Lien N.R., Mt. Tam Dao).

Below some shots of females in the field:

Female (top) and male (upperside) side by side

This butterfly is sexually dimorphic. The female is bigger, its upperwings  are yellowish-brown, whereas those of the male are black.

Female (top) and male (underside)

 

114. Neopithecops zalmora zalmora (The Quaker)

Number: 114

Family: Lycaeniidae
Sub-Family: Polyommatiinae

Species: Neopithecops zalmora zalmora (Butler, 1870)

Common name(s): The Quaker

Photography location: Huu Lien N.R. (Lang Son Prov.)

Very similar to Pithecops corvus but differs in the absence of the 2 subcostal black spots on UnF.

113. Surendra quercetorum quercetorum (The Common Acacia Blue)

Number: 113

Family: Lycaeniidae
Sub-Family: Thecliinae

Species: Surendra quercetorum quercetorum (Moore, 1858)

Common name(s): The Common Acacia Blue

Photography location: Tam Dao foothills (Vinh Phuc Prov.)

Male Surendra quercetorum  (only 1 tail, at vein 2)

The female (2 tails, at veins 2 and 3)

Female, view of upperwing pattern

Male (above, hindwings ripped off) and female
Male UP is deep shining blue, female is brown. Both sexes show pale brown UN with narrow obscure markings, usually outwardly edged with whitish striae

112. Pseudocoladenia dan (The Fulvous Pied Flat)

Number: 112

Family: Hesperiidae
Sub-Family : Pyrgiinae

Species: Pseudocoladenia dan (Fabricius, 1787)

Common name(s): The Fulvous Pied Flat

Photography location: Huu Lien N.R. (Lang Son Prov.)

This little fellow was very mobile and I only got some distant shots.

111. Hyarotis adrastus praba (The Tree Flitter)

Number: 111

Family: Hesperiidae
Sub-Family: Hesperiinae

Species: Hyarotis adrastus praba (Moore, [1866]) 

Common name(s): The Tree Flitter

Photography location: Huu Lien N.R. (Lang Son Prov.)

Monastyrskii & Devyatkin (2016) listed 6 Hyarotis species in Vietnam viz. iadera, microstictum and adrastus - only the latter recorded in the north of the country.

First glimpse... This specimen was tucked away deep in the bushes

It was difficult to get anywhere near, but my persistence paid off and I managed to get a decent shot or two... as well as leech bites and scratches everywhere. Totally worth it!

110. Astictopterus jama olivascens (The Indo-Chinese Forest Hopper)

Number: 110

Family: Hesperiidae
Sub-Family: Hesperiinae

Species: Astictopterus jama olivascens Moore, 1878

Common name(s): The Indo-Chinese Forest Hopper

Photography locations: Cuc Phuong N.P. (Ninh Binh Prov.), Tam Dao foothills (Vinh Phuc Prov.)

Astictopterus jama olivascens, Cuc Phuong (August 2015)

Same specimen

Astictopterus jama olivascens, Tam Dao foothills (August 2016)

109. Potanthus sp. (Dart sp.)

Number: 109

Family: Hesperiidae
Sub-Family: Hesperiinae

Species: Potanthus sp.

Common name(s): Dart sp.

Photography location: Tam Dao foothills (Vinh Phuc Prov.)

Potanthus is a large genus of ca 35 mostly very similarly looking species, occurring throughout the Oriental Region, extending north through China to Korea, the Amur region and Japan, and east to the Moluccas, apparently not reaching New Guinea.  
Potanthus species are notoriously difficult to identify with certainty. Although it may be possible to identify most fresh specimens by external characters only, the differences are usually subtle and slightly worn specimens may prove to be unidentifiable without the help of the male genitalia.

Fifteen Potanthus species are listed by Devyatkin & Monastyrskii (2016) from Vietnam viz rectifasciata, pallida, trachala, juno, omaha, confucius, mara, nesta, mingo, pava, lydia, ganda, serina, tibetana and palnia.

Below some shots of the same specimen, from Tam Dao:

Potanthus sp.

Note veins across HW band not darkened.

Within the genus Potanthus, the species-level identification is based largely on structures of the male genitalia. Hence, species cannot be identified easily based on external traits such as wing patterns. Identification keys provided by “experts” on the internet should be used with great caution!

Close-up on the upper FW (of the same specimen photographed above)

108. Polyura athamas athamas (The Common Nawab)

Number: 108

Family: Nymphaliidae
Sub-Family: Charaxiinae

Species: Polyura athamas athamas (Drury, 1773)

Common name(s): The Common Nawab

Photography location: Cuc Phuong N.P. (Ninh Binh Prov.)

The genus Polyura  is represented in Vietnam by 10 species – athamas, arja, moori, jalysus, delphis, narcaea, eudamippus, nepenthes, dolon and shreiber (Monastyrskii & Devyatkin, 2016).

Polyura athamas are medium-sized, heavy-bodies butterflies with rapid, strong and sometimes erratic flights. It has a habit of perching high on a spot in a tree, and keeps returning to the same perch after making swift flights in the vicinity to chase intruders away. The adults have also been observed to puddle on wet ground, carrion, faeces and tree sap.

Polyura athamas - my sweaty camera bag was a fine bait!

Mud-puddling with some Vindula erota (Cuc Phuong, May 2016)

An individual feeding on a serpent's carcass (Cuc Phuong, May 2016), showing a "weird" wing pattern